Bios
Karl Gotch
Nickname: The God of Pro Wrestling
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 245 lbs.
From: Antwerp, Belgium
Birthday: Aug 3rd
Pro Debut: 1956
Aliases: Karel Istaz, Karl Krauser, Karol Krauser, Pierre LaMarin, Pierre Le Marin, Pierre Le Marine
Feds Worked For: TSW, AWA, NWA, WWWF, Al Haft Sports (IL/OH), All Star Wrestling (Canada), American Wrestling Alliance (OH), Atlantic Athletic Commission (MA), Big Time Wrestling (Canada), Big Time Wrestling (MI), Capitol Wretling Corporation, Championship Wrestling from Florida (FL), Fred Kohler Enterprises (IL), Gulas Wrestling Enterprises (TN), Grand Prix Wrestling (Canada), International Wrestling (Canada), International Wrestling Enterprise (Canada), Internationale Berufsringkämpfer Verband (Germany), Japan Wrestling Association (Japan), Kola Kwariani Booking Office (NY), M & M Promotions (NM/TX), Maple Leaf Wrestling (Canada), Mid-Pacific Promotions (HI), Mike London Sports (AZ/CO/NM), National Wrestling Federation (NJ/NY/OH/PA), New Japan Pro Wrestling (Japan), NWA Chicago (IL), NWA Detroit (MI), NWA Hollywood (CA), Pacific Coast Athletic Club (CA), St. Louis Wrestling Club (MO), World Championship Wrestling (Australia), World Wrestling Alliance (CA)
Finisher: German Suplex
Signature Moves: Gotch Piledriver (Cradle piledriver), Bow & Arrow Backbreaker, Cross Armbar, Cross Kneelock, Crossface Chickenwing, Gotch Special (Chickenwing with Headscissors), Underhook Suplex, Atomic Suplex
Career Highlights: -AWA (Indiana/Ohio) World Champion
-Eastern States Champion
-IWA Champion
-NJPW Real World Champion (2x)
-NWA Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
-Ohio Champion
-WWA Tag Team Champion (w/ Mike DiBiase)
-WWWF World Tag Team Champion (w/ Rene Goulet)
Affiliates: Mike DiBiase, Rene Goulet
Notable Feuds: Buddy Rogers, Michiaki Yoshimura, Roy Heffernan, Otto Von Krupp/Great Malenko/Boris Malenko
Other Facts: -Real name was Karl Charles Istaz
-Father-in-law of pro wrestler Masami Soranaka, who he trained for pro wrestling
-The German suplex is named for him.
-Credited with inventing the Cradle Piledriver as well as the Kneeling Belly-to-Belly Piledriver (Commonly referred to today as a Tombstone Piledriver)
-Was a Holocaust survivor
-Billed from Germany, but was actually born in Antwerp, Belgium
-Only had 4 fingers on one hand as the result of an accident when he was young.
-Competed in in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1948 Olympics for Belgium under the name "Charles Istaz". He finished 7th and 8th respectively.
-Trained in Pehlwahni martial arts.
-Took the last name of Gotch in honor of Frank Gotch
-For a brief time, Joe Malenko used the name Karl Gotch, Jr.
-Had a notorious behind-the-scenes feud with "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, starting when Gotch asked for a shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Rogers wanted to avoid getting into the ring with a wrestler he feared would shoot on him and legitimately "steal" his championship. This led to a locker room fist fight between the two, ending when Gotch broke Rogers' hand; incapacitating Rogers for several weeks. These events only served to alienate Gotch from the American promoters, who already felt there was no place for his style in the world of American pro wrestling.
-Wrestled in the main event of the very first New Japan Pro Wrestling event, defeating Antonio Inoki.
-Trained Hiro Matsuda, Killer Khan, Kim Duk, Seiji Sakaguchi, Tatsumi Fujinami, and Barry Darsow for pro wrestling, among others.
-Inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996
-Passed away July 28, 2007
-Posthumously inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007
-Posthumously inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2009
-Was featured in the 2007 book "Say Uncle!: Catch-As-Catch Can Wrestling and the Roots of Ultimate Fighting, Pro Wrestling & Modern Grappling"
Supplemental Information
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Spotlight in History
- 1980 Jake Roberts def. Ken Mantell for the MSW Louisiana Title
- 2008 Pork Chop def. Jesus Rodriguez for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 2008 Romo def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 2008 The New Varsity Club (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Shane Sanchez) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
- 2009 3rd Rail def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
- 2014 The Old School Studs (Randy Price & Gary Tool) def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 2020 High Times (Father Padge & Dean Lambert) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the ASP Tag Team Titles
- 2020 Gemini [2nd] def. Thorne the Hunter for the ASP 5-Star Title
- 2025 GBA (Drake Gallows, Bang Bang Bennett, & Colton Kinnamon) def. Team Holy Hell (Father Padge & Terry Pantera) for the BCW Tag Team Titles
- 2025 Michael H def. Stephen Nitro for the NAW Heavyweight Title
Week of Sun 10-11 to Sat: 10-17
- 10-11 1980 Jake Roberts def. Ken Mantell for the MSW Louisiana Title
- 10-11 2008 Pork Chop def. Jesus Rodriguez for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 10-11 2008 Romo def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 10-11 2008 The New Varsity Club (Kevin Morgan & Xavior) def. X-Rated (Kevin James Sanchez & Shane Sanchez) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-11 2009 3rd Rail def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
- 10-11 2014 The Old School Studs (Randy Price & Gary Tool) def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 10-11 2020 High Times (Father Padge & Dean Lambert) def. The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the ASP Tag Team Titles
- 10-11 2020 Gemini [2nd] def. Thorne the Hunter for the ASP 5-Star Title
- 10-11 2025 GBA (Drake Gallows, Bang Bang Bennett, & Colton Kinnamon) def. Team Holy Hell (Father Padge & Terry Pantera) for the BCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-11 2025 Michael H def. Stephen Nitro for the NAW Heavyweight Title
- 10-12 1986 Kevin Von Erich def. Black Bart for the WCCW World Title
- 10-12 1987 Frankie Lancaster & Brian Adias def. Shaun Simpson & Skip Young (substituting for Steve Simpson) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 10-12 2013 J. R. Orullian def. Michael Duplanti for the NAW Heavyweight Title
- 10-12 2013 Justin Adams & Running Wolf def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
- 10-12 2014 The Bash Brothers (Ethan Cole & Trey Cole) def. The Rising (Justin Riker & Abel) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
- 10-12 2018 Paul Puertorico def. Xavior for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
- 10-12 2019 Sam Stackhouse became the UWE Apex Champion
- 10-12 2019 Jon Cross def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 10-12 2024 Super Star def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 10-12 2024 POTUS (Drake Gallows & Mr. Nabors) became the RDW Tag Team Champions
- 10-12 2024 Andrew Bridge def. Colton Kinnamon for the RDW Iron Man Title
- 10-12 2024 Ricky Wingrave/Keystone Rick def. Red James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
- 10-12 2025 Phantom Star def. Sgt. Todd for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 10-12 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Phantom Star for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 10-13 1970 George Scott def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 10-13 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Rocky Johnson for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 10-13 1982 Jim Duggan def. Mike Sharpe, Jr. for the MSW Louisiana Title
- 10-13 2001 Big Daddy Moore def. Luc Lapointe for the OPW Oklahoma Television Title
- 10-13 2012 Jermaine Johnson def. Damien Morte for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 10-13 2018 Bishop Nasty & Riker def. The Villains (Wesley Crane & Steven Cruze) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 10-13 2018 J. D. def. Alex Royal for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 10-13 2018 Fuel def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Title
- 10-13 2018 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
- 10-13 2023 Red James became the RDW Heavyweight Champion
- 10-13 2023 Wrestlers of Mass Destruction (Curt Gannon & Leo Fox) def. The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) for the ASP Tag Team Titles
- 10-13 2023 Gun Metal Gray became the AIWF Cruiserweight Champion
- 10-13 2023 Kevin James Sanchez became the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
- 10-14 1978 Assassin 1 def. Jose Lothario for the TSW Louisiana Title
- 10-14 1985 Butch Reed def. Dick Murdoch for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
- 10-14 2000 Rocco Valentino def. Original Renegade for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
- 10-14 2017 Dusty Gold def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Title
- 10-14 2017 Riker def. Prince Mahalli for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 10-14 2017 B. F. F.s (Drake Gallows & Sam Stackhouse) def. The Resistance (Wesley Crane & Skyler Fayden) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 10-14 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the NAW Tag Team Champions
- 10-14 2022 Mr. Nasty became the UWE Apex Champion
- 10-14 2022 Guard (Anarchy [2nd] & Mercenary) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 10-14 2023 Mike Gunnz became the NAW Openweight Champion
- 10-15 1954 Joe Christie def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 10-15 1973 Tank Morgan became the TSW North American Champion
- 10-15 1981 Junkyard Dog & Mike George def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 10-15 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 10-15 1988 Jeff Jarrett def. Eric Embry for the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Title
- 10-15 2002 Brandon Bishop def. Se7en for the ACW Heavyweight Title
- 10-15 2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) def. Pimpology (Jeffrey Parker & Kool Ade) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 10-15 2002 Li'l Joe def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 10-15 2005 A. J. Styles became the CWE Heavyweight Champion
- 10-15 2017 Drake Gallows def. Dean Lambert for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
- 10-15 2017 Erica def. Phoebe for the MSWA Ladies Title
- 10-15 2022 Dove Puro became the WAH Hunger Dojo Champion
- 10-15 2022 Cappucino Jones def. Dove Puro for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 10-15 2022 Dove Puro def. Cappucino Jones for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 10-16 1961 Red McKim def. Corsica Joe for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
- 10-16 1965 Jack Brisco def. Don Kent for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
- 10-16 1987 The Sheepherders (Luke Williams & Butch Miller) def. The Lightning Express (Brad Armstrong & Tim Horner) for the UWF Tag Team Titles
- 10-16 2021 Black Flag Brigade (Brett Irons & Anarchy [2nd]) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 10-16 2021 Koko def. Tommy Dean for the UWE Apex Title
- 10-16 2021 Big Smooth def. Cruze for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 10-16 2022 Brandon Groom became the BPW Oklahoma Champion
- 10-16 2022 Brandon Groom became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
- 10-16 2023 Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Damien Priest) def. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso for the WWE World Tag Team Titles
- 10-17 1977 Dr. X & became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 10-17 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 10-17 2009 Drake Gallows def. Bobby Starr for the BYEW Entertainment Title
- 10-17 2009 Maniac Mike def. Larry the Cowboy Guy for the BYEW Caution Title
- 10-17 2009 Chris Chaos def. Maniac Mike for the BYEW Caution Title
- 10-17 2009 Maniac Mike def. Chris Chaos for the BYEW Caution Title
- 10-17 2009 Chris Chaos def. Maniac Mike for the BYEW Caution Title
- 10-17 2015 Terry Montana & Mighty Mouse def. La Famiglia (Thomas Knight & Wade Argento [substituting for Luke Grayson]) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 10-17 2015 Double D def. Damon Windsor for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 10-17 2020 J. J. Hefley became the BPW 365 Champion
- 10-17 2020 El Greengo Loco def. J. J. Hefley for the BPW 365 Title
- 10-17 2020 Jerry Storm def. El Greengo Loco for the BPW 365 Title
- 10-17 2025 Morgan Levay became the CAPW Women’s Champion
- 10-17 2025 Will Chambers became the CAPW Heavyweight Champion
- Andy Douglas Oct 11th Today!
- Dusty Rhodes Oct 11th Today!
- Sam Houston Oct 11th Today!
- Mike Gallagher Oct 11th Today!
- Sensei Bolo Oct 11th Today!
- Rikishi Oct 11th Today!
- Naomi Sanders Oct 12th
- Rodney Mack Oct 12th
- Matthew De Luna Oct 12th
- Randi Lynn Oct 12th
- Devastating Denise Oct 13th
- Elijah Sparks Oct 13th
- Talon Oct 14th
- Terry Daniels Oct 14th
- Beau Betten Oct 14th
- Nikolai Volkoff Oct 14th
- Franco D'Angelo Oct 14th
- Jeff Gaylord Oct 15th
- Brandon Warhawk Oct 15th
- Jastin Taylor Oct 15th
- Karl Von Stroheim Oct 15th
- Kay Noble Oct 15th
- K. J. Orso Oct 16th
- Miss Sheila Oct 16th
- Missy Hyatt Oct 16th
- Zak Mason Oct 16th
- Jessy [2nd] Oct 17th
- Moses Manson Oct 17th
- Aaron Helms Oct 17th
- Jenna Love Oct 17th
- Garcia Oct 18th
- Luke Richmond Oct 18th
- Carrion Arcane Oct 18th
- Russ Rogers Oct 18th
- Issac Outre Oct 18th
- Jack Hull Oct 18th
- Johnny Walker [2nd] Oct 18th
- John Nord Oct 18th
- Christy Oct 19th
- Dimitri Alexandrov Oct 19th
- Robbie Awesome Oct 19th
- Kendall Hayes Oct 19th
- Boyd Pierce Oct 19th
- Ed Sharp Oct 20th
- Chavo Guerrero, Jr. Oct 20th
- Morgan Mercy Oct 20th
- Devan Scott Oct 21st
- Bushwacker Butch Oct 21st
- Tom Jones Oct 22nd
- Porkchop Cash Oct 22nd
- George Knight Oct 22nd
- Red Eagle Oct 23rd
- Daniel Powers Oct 24th
- Ray Durán Oct 24th
- Bill Dundee Oct 24th
- Bobby Lambert Oct 24th
Current Champions
Bizarre Underground Wrestling
918 Champion
Mr. Nasty
- This Is Wrestling Champion: Mr. Nasty
- No Pressure Champion: Duke Blanchard